In my tank top, I sit on the bench in the park, enjoying the breezy wind. For the first time in ages, I’m completely sober, and it feels so damn … strange.

Like I can see the world through a much clearer lens. And I’m not sure if I like it yet.

Still, it’s something I think I can be mildly proud of. I may be a shitty preacher, but at least now I’m not also a drunk one.

It’s sunny outside, the perfect day for a random visit to the park.

Except for the fact it’s not so random that I’m here.

You see, in the middle of the park, a group of women is having a yoga session that involves lots of stretching and downward dogs. Now, you might be thinking I’m a giant perv, and on that, I would have to agree, but there is one clear difference from my normal routine.

Yes, I’ve done this before, albeit with a different group of women in an entirely different park. And I mean, what man doesn’t like perky lady butts in spandex? A gay man.

No, I’m not ashamed.

Today, I don’t give a shit about any of those women … except one.

Laura.

She’s been on my mind ever since that spicy encounter in the confessional, and I’ve wanted to talk to her since. But one doesn’t just casually stroll up to a woman and discuss dirty sex, now do they?

No.

However, I’m not letting this slide either.

She did something to me that can’t be undone.

When she stepped into that confessional and touched herself right in front of me, she opened a door neither of us can close.

Now that I’ve had a small sample of what she has to offer, I want more. So much more.

She makes me unable to control myself, and for a man with needs like mine, that’s a dangerous thing.

I’ve followed her all the way from her home to this park just to watch her. I don’t know if that’s creepy or not, but I just grasped any opportunity I could to see her. I have yet to think of an appropriate moment to approach her, but for now, I’ll be content with gawking at her juicy spandex butt.

Fuck me; the way she tightens them as she bends over to touch her toes makes me wanna put my dick in her ass.

Is that wrong?

Yeah, it probably is.

But so help me God, I will do it. It’s only a matter of time before she comes to me again, and we have sex like mad rabbits. One thing’s for sure, though … I won’t let her run off with a tease like that again.

“Hi.”

Frowning, I turn my head only to see Bruno standing next to the bench where I’m sitting. “Uh, hi.”

Shit.

I knew he was here, but I never actually expected him to approach me.

He’s been playing on the kid’s playground while Laura exercises, and I honestly completely forgot about him even being here.

Why would he come over to me? I’m not interesting. Not even remotely.

God, this is so fucking awkward.

“What are you doing?” he asks me, crushing a leaf he just picked from a tree in his hand.

“Uh … just relaxing in the park,” I answer, trying to laugh it off like it’s no big deal.

“Are you here because my sister is?”

My eyes widen, and I laugh again. “No, of course not! Why would you think that?” My voice sounds so ridiculous; I’m such a bad fucking liar, it’s unbelievable.

He shrugs. “Well, I know you followed us from our home.”

Mortified, I close my eyes and sigh.

“It’s okay. I can see why you like her. She’s nice to people.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “Very nice.”

He smiles at me in such a cute way that it’s hard for me to maintain my badass composure.

“So whatcha doing?” I ask him.

“Nothing,” he says, letting the crushed pieces of leaf in his hand fly away. “I was playing in the sandbox, but I got bored.”

“Why? You can create so many things with a bit of sand.”

“I know, but it’s no fun if you don’t have any friends to play with.”

I nod, feeling a bit sorry for the little guy. “I see.”

The awkward silence returns, and I feel like this is some kind of invite for me to come play with him or something. But I’m not sure I want to let Laura out of my sight. What if she sees me in the sandbox with him? She might think I’m some kind of weird-ass stalker.

That’s because I am, but still.

“Father Frank,” Bruno suddenly begins, “why aren’t you in your church clothes?”

I shrug. “Because it’s hot outside, and I’m just a regular person now.”

“So you’re not a person in church?”

I snort. “Of course, I am. But in church, I need to look like I work there. But I’m not working right now, so I get to dress however I like.”

“And what are those black things on your skin?”

Frowning, I look at where he’s pointing, and I realize it’s my back, which is covered in tattoos. “Oh, those are the tattoos I mentioned, remember? They’re drawings but on the skin.”

“Cool! Can I have them too?”

“No,” I say sternly, but then I soften my voice again because I don’t wanna sound like a dick. “Tattoos are for grown-ups only.”

“Why?” He seems disappointed.

“Well … because they’re permanent. They can’t be erased.”

“Really?” His eyes glow. “Awesome.”

I snort and shake my head. “You’re a funny one, kid.”

“Thanks,” he says. “You too.”

I’m not sure if that’s a compliment, but I’ll take it.

“But … I thought priests weren’t allowed to have tattoos?”

“I’m not a priest, Bruno,” I reply. “I’m a preacher. And who told you that?”

“My brother,” he says, making a figure-eight in the dirt with his shoes.

“Well, your brother was wrong.”

“How come?” He cocks his head.

“I’m a special preacher. A bad one.” I turn to face him and squint, trying to look as menacing as I can. “You don’t wanna mess with me, kid. I’m wicked.” I make a scary face, and the kid bursts out into giggles, which makes me smile.

That’s when I notice Laura walking our way.

I clear my throat and sit back again, trying not to look like a perving creep, but here I am… being a perving creep.

She cocks her head when she recognizes me and smiles deviously. “Hey, don’t I know you from somewhere?”

“He’s Father Frank, sis!” Bruno says. “He was in our house eating breakfast! Did you forget?”

“No, silly, it was rhetorical.” She rubs his head, messing up his hair.

“What’s rhet-rhet-orca?”

She chuckles. “It means it wasn’t really a question.”

“Should I even answer then?” I muse.

She turns her attention to me as she rubs her forehead with her towel. “Well, well, what a coincidence.”

I smile and enjoy the view. No point in denying anything, especially since there’s been no allegation. Yet.

“So Bruno already found you. Are you stalking us or something?” she asks, raising a brow.

Ah-ha, there it is.

“Nah.” I grin. “Just your friendly neighborhood preacher patrolling the area.”

She rolls her eyes, but I can tell she’s barely able to keep the laughter inside.

“Got something to confess?” I ask.

She snorts. “Like you don’t already know everything.”

“I do!” Bruno raises his hand.

“Oh, yeah? Tell me then, what’d you do?” I inquire, inching closer.

He closes his mouth and freezes, so I lean in even closer and pat the bench. “Sit.”

He does what I ask, and then I turn my ear to him so he can whisper.

“I peed in the sandbox.”

My grin turns into a full-on outburst of laughter.

“What?” Laura asks.

I turn my face to Bruno and whisper back into his ear, “Is that the real reason you didn’t wanna play in the sandbox anymore?”

He nods.

“What?!” Laura’s voice is even louder this time, and she’s even thrown her towel over her shoulder like some kind of statement.

Bruno looks at me as if he’s pleading me not to tell her—probably because she’d get mad and rightfully so. But I think I’ll play along with this game.

So I twine my fingers and smile like a motherfucker. “I’m sorry. Confessions made to a preacher are strictly confidential.”

Oh, that look on her face right now.

Blood-boiling rage.

Magnificent.

“Frank …” she hisses.

I shrug, still smiling as I lean back.

“He did something; you gotta tell me. This isn’t a joke,” she grumbles. “What if it’s something embarrassing or wrong?”

“You mean like that thing we did in church?”

Her eyes widen, and the shock on her face is amazing to see.

“What thing?” Bruno asks.

“Nothing!” Laura hisses. “Frank …”

I look at Bruno and say, “Bruno. If you say you’re sorry, your sins will be forgiven.”

“Does that mean God forgives me too?”

I nod. It’s hard to explain these things to a kid as young as he is.

He draws a cute cross on his chest and mumbles, “I’m sorry.”

“Good.” I pat his back and then look at Laura. “See? He’s repenting, so he’s forgiven of his sins.”

She narrows her eyes and snarls at me. “You are so bad.”

“I know.” I grin because I consider it a compliment.

I get up from the bench and dust off my pants. “Well, I guess this is my cue to run.”

Bruno jumps off too, saying, “Thanks, Father Frank!”

“Don’t mention it, kid.”

I start walking even though I wasn’t done with Laura yet. However, I can’t talk to her in private with Bruno around. It’s just not happening.

“What did Bruno do?” Laura yells.

I glance over my shoulder. “You’d like to know that, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes!”

“Guess you’ll have to come to church then because that’s the only place we’ll talk confessional business.” And with that, I give her a thumbs-up and walk out of sight, leaving a flabbergasted and annoyed Laura behind.